Hey all. As per my previous posts, I am very new to powerkiting and I have a query.

My control so far is getting better. But every now and again I just get hit with what feels like an uncontrollable gust of wind and it literally makes me go flying (unintentionally of course). Is this a cause of hitting pure downwind? Or perhaps the shortcomings of not being on a board? I'm using a 3m Hornet and so far I've knackered both thumbs, bruised sternum and both hips and its starting to get a little unfun . Would killing the kite on one of these gusts help or am i just navigating it in the wrong part of the window?

A big part of staying out of harms way is knowing were the powerzone is and anticipating it before the kite gets there. If I'm flying static and overpowered (I'm on grass so upright scudding is difficult) then I almost lean so far back that my butt touches the ground and I slide on my butt/heels. That prevents the superman effect. Hope that helps.

Are you getting sent downwind because you are flying the kite into the power zone ? Do you understand the wind window? Flying the kite low and downwind from you creates the most power.

In general it is best to keep your kite at the edge of the window and avoid flying it overhead for any length of time in gusty wind. If you keep it off the side you won't get lofted.

As ssayre suggests lower your center of gravity and get your feet out front so you scud on your feet or butt. Avoid using shoes with heals.

If you don't have kite killers you may want to get some. It makes letting go of the kite simpler and easier to recover from. At least until you learn to handle the gusts without letting go.

Size your kite for the gusts NOT the average wind. If the gusts are too much for your smallest kite it is time to pack it in and wait for a better day.

Great info from the other guys!

Like they say, gust are what gets you. If you do have kite killers I will suggest what I tell my son, if it gets to be too much, just let go, as long as there is no one, or nothing down wind of you. Better to be safe than sucked up by a gust and drug along.

I'm learning more about the wind-window the more I fly. I know to avoid putting the kite low but it still gets a good bit of whooosh. I think my knocks are just resultant of the learning curve. |(fingerscrossed)|

I think you are suffering from a common beginner mistake. Sending the kite all over the window without knowing what is about to happen or why.

You are trying to FLY the kite. We try to CONTROL the kite! Work more on control and setting reflex memory. Once you have that all set then you can use the power to your advantage. We try and work the edge of the window in gusty winds. Baby steps.

We all have a number of different sized kites so we aren't putting up a kite that will kick our butts in the gusts. Size for GUSTS!

Keep at it. It will become more and more fun. We all went through some frustrating spells and thought about tossing it in at some point. If it was easy, it wouldn't be as rewarding !

Just sit down:

http://vimeo.com/85508225

Love the picture of the pants at the end. About 1/2 way through I started wondering what it was doing to them.

your doing great...be a pilot...sorry about the thumbs

/agree @solliver -- butt scudding is a fantastic way to get used to serious power. I now prefer vert knee pads (from skating), and knee-scudding, but it's not for everyone. Also, I use the kite killers all the time... it doesn't cost anything to use them, and you just grab your handles, twist them around a bit and you're back in action. Again, not for everyone, but it's better than a faceScar.

Also, most gusts are pretty manageable if you're not zipping around the window a bunch (which is something we all do when we start.)

So... /agree @Bladerunner, too. Park the kite at 11:00 on a mildly variable day and see if you can slowly, carefully move it to 1:00, and then slowly, carefully, move it back. During that time, the vents / leading edge should be facing into the wind... when a gust comes up, the kite will usually zip forward a bit... see if you can keep it at 11:00 when this happens. If you're in the right spot, the wind should just gust right on by and you're left on your feet and smiling at your superior kite-handling prowess.

Let us know how it goes, eh?